Making The Move From Cable To Satellite TV
As an Aussie I like to check other countries every now and again to see how some of the services we get here stack up with those being offered overseas. Today I wanted to give cable TV a go. I get Foxtel over here and I pay $101 per month for a package that includes one foreign station, (RAI International), sports channels and a couple of movie channels and stuff. The reason I pay for Foxtel is that a lot of the time the free to air channel sucks and there is nothing worthwhile to watch. The other reason is I like to watch my sports live and hate those delayed telecasts.
This morning after a brief search I came across a Direct TV, an American service which had a really cool price comparison feature. I actually picked a package which was far superior to mine and found I could get it for under $60 a month. Man I figured that was pretty good. The only problem I found was that I couldn’t find if their Direct TV Service offered RAI International, although they did state that “DIRECTV offers more then 40 Spanish-language channels, and a variety of programming from around the world” and so it could well include RAI. I could call the number on the site to find out for sure but thought that would be pointless seeing as how us Aussies have to miss out on the good deals again.
So, are any of you guys using Direct TV System? If so, how did it compare with cable and did you use the comparison feature on the website? Also what inspired you to make the move, was it the Digital TV factor, the price, service or something completely different.
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=eaa017ad-a8f6-4246-86af-76a3d85a99e4)
Tagged with: Cable television • DirecTV • Foxtel • Price comparison service • Sports channel
Filed under: SpecialOps
Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!
Loading ...
Means you can practically watch anything all over the world?
[Reply]
One would assume that, but I’ve learned in life that making assumptions isn’t always wise.
[Reply]
It was the 10 yrs. ago time when we used to watch our progrmmes on the cable tv with the lots of blurrs but now time has changed now we can watch digital quality movies via satellite tv !That’s the revolution in the technology!This is the next generation!am i right Mr. sire ?
[Reply]
Sire Reply:
June 20th, 2009 at 9:07 am
Man, you had cable 10 years ago? Seems like we’ve only had it a few years, but then time does seem to fly by these days, and yes I think you are right David.
[Reply]
My family used direct TV at their cottage and are pretty darn happy with it. Only problem is if you have trees blocking the signal it can be annoying to lose your show every now and again. Good luck, sounds like you are saving quite a bit of dough!
The Almost Millionaire´s last blog ..What is Michigan’s Unemployment Rate?
[Reply]
TAM, I think you’ve misread the post there a little. I’m not saving a cent because that package is only available to you Yanks.
[Reply]
Comcast cable all the way. Had direct when I was around 13 I think. Every time the wind blow, rained, or was too hot outside. It mess up and look like snow on the tv.
Deneil Merritt´s last blog ..Are You Afraid To Be Famous?
[Reply]
Sire Reply:
June 20th, 2009 at 9:53 am
Hey Deniel, you would think that cable would be the go wouldn’t you. I have friends though that don’t have cable in their area and satellite is their only option.
[Reply]
Deneil Merritt Reply:
June 20th, 2009 at 11:32 am
Oh man, that got to suck. People such always have an option.
Deneil Merritt´s last blog ..Are You Afraid To Be Famous?
[Reply]
My in-laws recently moved to the U.S. from Greece. And thanks to Direct TV’s international line-up, they’re still able to watch their favorite shows from their homeland, in the language they’re most familiar with. Direct TV offers programming from around the globe, more than 80 channels in Chinese, Arabic, Vietnamese, Polish, Russian, Greek, Italian and others.
[Reply]
Sire Reply:
June 20th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
Hi Mark, I think that any service that provides those who left their homeland for a new life in a foreign land a link to the place of their birth is a good thing. Thanks for your input mate.
[Reply]
Mark from Free ad web service Reply:
June 21st, 2009 at 11:47 am
Hi Sire,
Thanks for a reply. I’d like you to know that if you’re into movies, Direct TV’s got you covered there, too. Over 70 pay-per-view channels and more than 30 premium movie channels guarantee there’s always a movie available whenever you’re in the mood. The best part is you don’t have to leave your living room. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, movie watching is at your fingertips. Phone in your order, place it online, or use your remote. It just doesn’t get any easier than that.
[Reply]
Sire Reply:
June 22nd, 2009 at 8:02 pm
Sure does sound easy, but if I was to watch that much TV the wife would have me in the divorce courts.
[Reply]
in uk i went from cable to sky (satelite) will never look back
[Reply]
I’m pretty happy with cable, but I would change if I could save some money, that’s for sure.
[Reply]
I’d like to have that service, but I don’t want to attach a satellite dish to my patio. Plus the thought that my hubby could watch 6 different matches of the tennis grand slams on one screen kind of scares me. :)
~ Kristi
Kikolani´s last blog ..Alternatives to Checking Statistics
[Reply]
Sire Reply:
June 24th, 2009 at 12:36 am
Kristi, seeing as how you guys a newly weds I’m sure he has a lot more on his mind than watching 6 different matches on your TV set.
[Reply]
Never heard of Direct TV before, we have cable or SKY in the UK so I guess it must be similar to SKY where you have the dish on the side of the house. The cable package in the UK gives a good deal with phone internet and tv all in one package which is pretty good. You can get the same through SKY but the internet service provider goes through a company called BT which is notorious for bad service and the reason I wouldn’t try SKY.
If you can get it cheaper its certainly worth giving it a try and if there are better channels that’s a bonus. I guess your tv and internet packages aren’t combined like the UK, which means you get to pick and choose the best provider for each service.
[Reply]
Sire Reply:
June 25th, 2009 at 2:33 am
That’s probably because it’s American Khaled, and like you I don’t have access to it. Still, while my package is dearer it’s still pretty good as far as Aussie packages go.
[Reply]
Who watches RAI? :D I just wish they would remove it from my package and show something useful instead ;)
Mikael @ Retire Early´s last blog ..The Importance of Knowing Where You Are Stuck (or Suck)
[Reply]
My wife watches it and my parents would if they had it. maybe if you took up Italian you would get to like it to. They talk way too fast for my liking but I still like looking at all the hot sheilas.
[Reply]
I’m just the opposite of Deneil. I had Comcast cable for about 12 years and the service was good but they play games with the charges and I didn’t like the customer service. Last year we switched to satellite and I’m very satisfied. It’s almost as expensive but I get more channels and I’m not on the phone trying to figure out why the bill went up fifty dollars every few months. The best part of my satellite? The DVR (digital video recorder)! Wow, what a great invention. I never have to miss a movie or program I wanted to see now. Of course I’ll never have time to watch all those episodes of House M.D. I’ve recorded.
Brian D. Hawkins´s last blog ..Ten Reasons To Start A Paid Membership Site
[Reply]
Sire Reply:
June 29th, 2009 at 3:26 am
Hey Brian, it makes you wonder why these people don’t provide the service, doesn’t it? It’s almost as if they believe once you’ve signed up you won’t bother to change. Dumb.
As for the satellite, how do you find the image quality as compared to cable? That DVR sounds like a brilliant idea. I will have to keep that in mind when I decide to change providers.
[Reply]
Good afternoon, Sire.
I live in an area where there is no cable TV – it stops about three miles down the road and they don’t expect to extend it any time soon.
When American TV switched from analog to digital this month, I lost my TV reception. Even though I have a new digital converter, the signal does not propagate into these mountains and I only get “no signal” when I do a scan. Even with analog TV, the reception was not always consistent and most of the time the shows were accompanied by snow and audio problems.
So, I’ve been without any TV reception for the last couple of weeks, and I’m surprised to say that I really don’t miss it.
I’ve considered Direct TV, and may sign up for it one of these days – after all, I’m an affiliate for them.
But, for now, I’m enjoying the peace and quiet and a little extra work time.
Act on your dream!
JD
[Reply]
Sire Reply:
June 29th, 2009 at 3:49 am
We’ve still got analogue TV in Australia, but they are phasing out over the next couple of years, so most people will have plenty of time to upgrade before it’s demise. Our free to air TV stations are transmitting digital and analogue signals and I must say that digital is far superior. I made the transition ages ago and I am so glad I did. Strangely enough, my cable reception is still analogue as I’m not prepared to pay the extra to go digital.
As to not watching TV all together. Nope, I don’t think I could do it.
[Reply]
I have used Direct TV for years, I can’t even imagine the concept of cable tv.
Extreme John@Extreme John Blogs and Business´s last blog ..Throwback: 4th of July Bikini Contest Pictures
[Reply]
Just to be different, I have always had cable and have no concept of Satellite TV. Still, if the price was better and the quality as good, then why not.
[Reply]